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DIAGNOSIS OF MOUTH AFFECTIONS. I53

which, in chronic cases, add tinct. of capsicum ; also antiseptics :
bichloride of mercury, chloroform and aristol, also oil of cassia
and oil of gaultheria, in combination with carbolic acid, kalium-
natrium. Sodium peroxide twenty-five to fifty per cent, solution,
or pyrozone twenty-five per cent, ethereal solution, may be em-
ployed to secure the thorough sterilization of the dentine of the
root, followed by powerful antiseptics, such as Black's i, 2, 3
mixture ; the pulp-cavity may first be washed out with the three
per cent, solution of pyrozone by means of a syringe and dried,
when the fifty per cent, solution of sodium peroxide is worked into
the canals with a fine smooth platinum broach, and a continuation,
after drying the cavity, of the application of the sodium peroxide,
until the saponifying action ceases. The surgical method con-
sists in gaining access to the sac, by means of a bistoury or small
trephine, through the fistulous opening, where such exists, and
detaching and breaking up the sac by means of suitable nerve in-
struments and the application of escharotic agents. Liquid air
applied intermittently in the form of spray, has been successfully
used as a local anaesthetic in opening abscesses. Dr. Brophy,
speaking of cases of alveolar abscess where the disease is in the
bone, says : " In such cases if the treatment is simply opening
into the tooth for drainage with the expectation that nature will
effect a cure, we will be disappointed. In such cases an incision
should be made down to the diseased bone, packing it with iodo-
form gauze, or boracic acid gauze. The next day with a bur
cut off the affected portion of the roots of the teeth because they
are a source of irritation ; then with a bud-bur pass over the
bone, and remove the dead portions, and again pack the wound
with antiseptic gauze. In a day or two make an examination,
and if healthy granulations are beginning, insert a wax plug,
which is not permeable like the gauze, to prevent the wound
from closing, and the consequent trouble from confined pus."
Alveolar Abscess about to point Externally is indicated by the skin,
for some distance around the central point, becoming red and dis-
tended, with a throbbing sensation, succeeded by a change in the
appearance of the skin to a thin and scaly surface, from which
the epidermis scales off. The integument becomes glued down